THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

Richard and Joan’s eldest child was Alexander Muddle who was probably born at Buxted in Sussex in about 1560. Alexander married Anne in about 1583 and they had one child, a son born at Buxted in October 1584, which resulted in the death of Anne soon afterwards. She was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 25 October 1584, and her child died a few days later.

Ten years after the death of his first wife Alexander married Grace Hode at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 28 November 1594. They lived at Buxted where they had two children born in 1597 and 1600.

When his father died in 1597 Alexander was joint executor with his brother Samuel of their father’s will. Alexander and Samuel were jointly left seven acres of land at Herstmonceux on the condition that Alexander made a payment to Samuel within one year otherwise the land would go to Samuel only. Alexander was also left an anvil.

In 1608 Alexander was a witness to the will of Richard Muddle junior of Mayfield.[3] Then in 1609 Alexander was a witness to, and overseer of, the will of Abraham Muddle of Mayfield, son of Richard Muddle junior.[4] Then in 1615 Alexander was described as a whitesmith of Buxted when he was a bondsman for the marriage licence of Thomas Muddle of Rotherfield.[5] Abraham and Thomas were the sons of the Richard Muddle junior and the John Muddle that Alexander’s father had stood bail for in 1582, and some sort of close relatives of Alexander.

Alexander died at Buxted when he was probably in his mid-60s, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 28 February 1626. Two years Grace was living at Rotherfield when she died and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 28 March 1628.

Alexander and Anne’s only child was John Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 19 October 1584. John died when he was only about 2 weeks old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 7 November 1584.

Alexander and Grace’s eldest child (Alexander’s second) was Grace Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 11 January 1597. In 1621, when she was 24 years old, Elizabeth had an illegitimate daughter born at Buxted.

Then the following year, when she was 25 years old, Grace married George Alfrey at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 14 October 1622. They had one child, a son born at Buxted in 1623, then in 1625 Grace’s illegitimate daughter died when only 3 years old. Followed eleven years later by the death of George who was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 19 July 1636.

Eight years after the death of her first husband Grace, at the age of 47, married 46-year-old Robert Richards at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 14 March 1644. Robert was the son of Robert Richards; he had been born at Buxted and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 21 August 1597. There were no children from this marriage and in 1649, five years after her marriage to Robert, Grace’s son by her first husband died at the age of 25.

Robert died at Buxted, at the age of 57, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 30 December 1654. Grace survived her second husband by 5½ years; she died at Buxted, at the age of 63, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 15 June 1660.

Grace’s illegitimate child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 18 November 1621. Elizabeth died when she was only 3 years old and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 30 May 1625.

George and Grace’s only child was Robert Alfrey who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 23 November 1623. Robert never married. He died at Buxted, at the age of 25, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 21 August 1649.

Alexander and Grace’s second child (Alexander’s third) was Mary Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 10 August 1600. Mary died at East Hoathly in Sussex, at the age of 20, and was buried in the Churchyard of the Parish Church of East Hoathly on 22 September 1620.

Richard and Joan’s second child was Samuel Muddle who was probably born at Buxted in Sussex in about 1564. When his father died in 1597 Samuel was joint executor with his brother Alexander of their father’s will. Samuel and Alexander were jointly left seven acres of land at Herstmonceux on the condition that Alexander made a payment to Samuel within one year otherwise the land would go to Samuel only. Samuel was also left an anvil and household furniture, such as a bed and chest.

When he was about 40 years old Samuel married 26-year-old Elizabeth Phillipps at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 15 August 1603. Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert Phillipps, she had been born at Rotherfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 18 October 1576. Elizabeth died less than three months after their marriage, when she was 27-years-old, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 7 November 1603.

Soon after his first wife’s death Samuel married Joan in about 1604, though no record of their marriage has been found. They had a daughter Elizabeth born in about 1605 whose baptism has likewise not been found, though she is in the will of Nicholas Lucas as the daughter of Samuel Muddle. They are then recorded as living at Chiddingly in Sussex where Samuel was churchwarden in the period 1606/7 and they have three more children born in 1607, 1609 and 1614, the first two of whom die as infants in 1608 and 1611.

Samuel must have then died by 1618, though no burial has been found, as widow Joan Muddle married Stephen Goodden at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Chalvington, Sussex on 29 October 1618.

Samuel and Joan’s eldest child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born in about 1605 possibly at Chiddingly in Sussex. No record of her baptism has been found though she is mention in the 1608 will of Nicholas Lucas of Chiddingly, together with her sister Joan, as being the daughters of Samuel Muddle his cousin. In this will she was left a lamb.[6]

When she was about 30 years old Elizabeth married 29-year-old John Harmer at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 28 May 1635. John was the son of Richard Harmer senior and he had been baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 25 May 1606. John and Elizabeth lived at Chiddingly where they had five children born between 1636 and 1648. Elizabeth died at Chiddingly when about 59 years old and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 30 September 1664. Eight years later John died at Chiddingly, at the age of 66, and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 6 May 1672.

John and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Barnaby Harmer who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 13 March 1636.

John and Elizabeth’s second child was Samuel who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 28 January 1638.

John and Elizabeth’s third child was John Harmer who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church during May 1640. John must have died by 1648 as his parents then named another son John.

John and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Thomas Harmer who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 26 March 1643. Thomas died when he was only 2 years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 3 June 1645.

John and Elizabeth’s fifth child was John Harmer who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 9 June 1648. John died when he was just on 26 years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 3 May 1674.

Samuel and Joan’s second child was Joan Muddle who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 24 February 1607. When her father’s cousin Nicholas Lucas made his will on 31 January 1608 he left Joan a lamb. Though Joan never lived to receive this bequest as she died at Chiddingly when she was only a year old and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 25 May 1608.

Samuel and Joan’s third child was Richard Muddle who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 28 May 1609. Richard died at Chiddingly when he was only two years old and was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 14 April 1611.

Samuel and Joan’s fourth child was Samuel Muddle who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 1 June 1614. When he was 31 years old Samuel married Alice Farrell at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton, Sussex on 22 July 1645. They lived at Laughton where they had four children born between 1646 and 1655. Samuel died at Laughton, at the age of 45, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 9 June 1659. Alice’s son Samuel died in early 1673, and then 20 years later Alice died and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 28 February 1693.

Alice had made her will on 5 June 1690 and probate was granted to her son Edward Muddle, the sole executor, by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 7 March 1693. In this will Alice left her gold ring to her grandson John Muddle and her finest pair of sheets to her grandchildren Edward and Mary Muddle. Her three grandchildren were also to have equal shares of the £5 held by her son John. Her son John was to have half of her household goods and her son Edward was to have the house in which she dwelt and the remainder of her personal estate.[7]

Samuel and Alice’s eldest child was Edward Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 30 August 1646. When he was 38 years old Edward married 33-year-old Mary Wyborne at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 23 June 1685. Mary was the daughter of William Wyborne; she had been born at Laughton and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 1 February 1652.

Edward and Mary lived at Laughton where they had one child, a daughter born in 1687. Then when his mother died in 1693 Edward was the sole executor of her will. He inherited the house in which his mother lived and the remained of her personal estate including half of her household goods.

Mary died at Laughton, at the age of 57, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 7 May 1709. Three years later Edward died at Laughton, at the age of 65, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 17 May 1712. Edward died intestate and administration of his estate was granted to his daughter Mary and her husband Abraham Young by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 21 June 1712. The inventory of Edward’s personal estate valued it at £78 8s.[8]

Edward and Mary’s only child was Mary Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 4 June 1687. When her grandmother, Alice Muddle, died in 1693 Mary inherited a pair of her finest sheets and a third share of £5 that was being held by her uncle John Muddle.

When she was 22 years old Mary married Abraham Young at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 2 May 1710. They lived at Laughton where they had four children born between 1711 and 1726, the first and last of whom, who were both daughters called Mary, died in infancy.

When Abraham and Mary were granted the administration of the estate of Mary’s father in 1712 Abraham was described as a farmer of Laughton. Abraham died at Laughton and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 6 July 1744. Then 21 years later Mary died at Laughton, at the age of 78, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 8 July 1765.

Abraham and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Young who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 12 September 1711. Mary died when only about a month old and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 12 October 1711.

Abraham and Mary’s second child was Elizabeth Young who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 22 July 1722.

Abraham and Mary’s third child was Edward Young who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 26 June 1724.

Abraham and Mary’s fourth child was Mary Young who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 5 October 1726. Mary died when only about four months old and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 19 February 1727.

Samuel and Alice’s second child was Joan Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 16 August 1649. Neither Joan or any possible descendants of her are mention in her mother’s will so it is assumed that Joan died young before marrying though no burial has been found.

Samuel and Alice’s third child was Samuel Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 28 March 1652. Samuel never married. He died at Laughton, at the age of 20, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 28 January 1673.

Samuel and Alice’s four child was John Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 18 February 1655. When he was 29 years old John married Elizabeth Faulkner at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 3 June 1684. They lived at Laughton where they had two children, sons born in 1685 and 1687.

When his mother died in 1693 John inherited half of her household goods, and the £5 of his mother’s money that he held (presumably a loan) was to be given in equal shares to his two sons and his niece Mary Muddle. In an apprenticeship indenture dated 6 May 1700 John Muddle was recorded as being one of the Churchwardens of Laughton.[9]

John died at Laughton, at the age of 50, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 27 January 1705. John had made his will on 20 January 1705 and probate was granted to his wife Elizabeth, the sole executrix, by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 17 February 1705. In his will John left £10 to each of his sons, John and Edward, that they were to receive when they were 21 years old. His house and land and all the rest of his personal estate he left to his wife for her use during her lifetime on condition that she remained a widow, and then after her death it was to be equally divided between his two sons.[10] Nearly twenty years later Elizabeth died at Laughton and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 4 November 1724.

John and Elizabeth’s eldest child was John Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 8 July 1685. When his grandmother, Alice Muddle, died in 1693 John inherited her gold ring and a third share of £5 that was being held by his father.

When he was 39 years old John fathered an illegitimate son by 31-year-old Elizabeth Thetcher. The Overseers of the Poor of Laughton recorded in their Account Book that during October 1724 they paid 2s for a warrant for the arrest of John Muddle and 5s was spent at Laughton Pound on account of the taking of John Muddle.[11] When the child, Thomas Thetcher, was baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 19 January 1725 as the bastard son of Elizabeth Thetcher it was noted that the reputed father was John Muddle. The mother Elizabeth Thetcher was the daughter of William and Sarah Thetcher; she had been born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 12 April 1693.

Six months after the birth of his illegitimate son John, at the age of 39, married 34-year-old Lydia Gurr at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 3 June 1725. Lydia was the daughter of John and Sarah Gurr; she had been born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 27 March 1691. John and Lydia lived at Laughton where they had two children born in 1727 and 1729, the second of whom died in 1734 when only five years old.

John died at Laughton, at the age of 76, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 20 September 1761. Seven years later Lydia died at Laughton, at the age of 77, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 5 June 1768.

John and Lydia’s eldest child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 27 April 1727. When she was 25 years old Elizabeth married 24-year-old John Burgess at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 8 April 1752. John was the son of William and Susannah Burgess; he had been born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 14 September 1727.

John and Elizabeth lived at Laughton where they had six children born between 1753 and 1762, the first of whom died soon after birth and the fifth died in 1764 aged 4. On 26 June 1778 the Overseers of the Poor of Laughton recorded that they had received £10 from John Burgess for refusing to serve in the Militia.[12]

John died at Laughton, at the age of 51, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 1 November 1778. Three years later Elizabeth died at Laughton, at the age of 54, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 25 October 1781.

John and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Mary Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 27 January 1753. Mary died soon after birth and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 1 February 1753.

John and Elizabeth’s second child was Elizabeth Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 10 February 1754.

John and Elizabeth’s third child was Sarah Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 20 June 1756.

John and Elizabeth’s fourth child was William Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 8 January 1758.

John and Elizabeth’s fifth child was John Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 25 November 1759. John died when he was only 4 years old and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 10 June 1764.

John and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Mary Burgess who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 7 March 1762.

John and Lydia’s second child was John Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 2 February 1729. John died when only five years old and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 2 April 1734.

John and Elizabeth’s second child was Edward Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 12 May 1687. When his grandmother, Alice Muddle, died in 1693 Edward inherited a pair of her finest sheets and a third share of £5 that was being held by his father.

When he was 26 years old Edward married Elizabeth Hollingam at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 23 April 1713. They lived at Laughton where they had eight children born between 1714 and 1737, two of whom died soon after birth and another one at the age of 11. Elizabeth probably died in childbirth as she was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 28 January 1737, the same day that her baby daughter was baptised there. This child died just on a month later.

Then just over a year later Edward, at the age of 50 and with a large family of children, married 74-year-old spinster Mary Ince at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 23 April 1738. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Ince; she had been born on 16 May 1663 and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 15 April 1686, at the age of 22, at the same time as three of her siblings.

The Laughton Overseers of the Poor Account Book records numerous payments between 1742 and 1759, when the account book ends, to Edward Muddle for weaving shirting and to Dame Muddle for spinning Tire and Tow (Tow is hemp fibre). Typical entries are ‘paid Edward Muddle 9 shillings for weaving 36 yards of shirting at 3 pence per yard’ and ‘paid Dame Muddle 4 shillings 6 pence for spinning 6 pounds of eight-penny tire’. There were also payments for rent, in 1749 they paid John Gurr 15 shilling for Edward Muddle’s rent, then most years between 1752 and 1759 they paid Samuel Ridge 10 shillings for Edward Muddle rent of his barn that was due on Lady Day each year. In May 1759 they paid Dame Muddle 2 shillings for looking after Dame Chapman and then 3 shilling for laying out Dame Chapman and swearing an affidavit that she was buried in wool.[13] There is also a bill dated 12 September 1749 regarding weaving that Edward had done for the parish of Laughton where he could only acknowledge that he had received payment by making his mark.[14]

It seems that Mary may have been one of those older women who look after the sick and dying, and laid out the dead, because the Laughton 8 May 1739 burial record of Nicholas Gower recorded that the affidavit for his burial in wool had been sworn by Mary Muddle.

Edward died at Laughton, at the age of 79, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 18 June 1766. Five months later Mary died at Laughton, at the age of 103, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 14 November 1766.

Edward and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 29 April 1714. When she was 22 years old Elizabeth married 23-year-old Thomas Jordan at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at Ripe, Sussex on 26 April 1736. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Patience Jordan; he had been born at Chalvington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Chalvington on 7 December 1712.

Thomas and Elizabeth initially lived at Ripe where their only child, a son, was born in 1737. They then moved to Chalvington where their son died in 1752 when not quite 15 years old. It was then only six weeks after his son’s death that Thomas made his will, he died nearly seven years later, at the age of 46, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Bartholomew at Chalvington on 12 January 1759. He had made his will on 4 April 1752, when he described himself as a yeoman of Chalvington, and his wife Elizabeth, the sole executrix, was granted probate by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 10 February 1759. In this will Thomas left all his personal estate and his copyhold cottage and garden at Chalvington to his wife so long as she didn’t remarry, if she did she was to give £50 to be shared equally by the children of his sisters Elizabeth and Ann.[15]

Elizabeth never remarried and thirty-three years after her husband’s death she died at Chalvington, at the age of 77, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Bartholomew at Chalvington on 19 March 1792.

Thomas and Elizabeth’s only child was Thomas Jordan who was born at Ripe in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in nearby Chalvington on 27 March 1737. Thomas died when he was not quite 15 years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Bartholomew at Chalvington on 21 February 1752

Edward and Elizabeth’s second child was John Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 16 February 1716.

Edward and Elizabeth’s third child was James Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 7 June 1719. James died when only eleven years old and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 11 November 1730.

Edward and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Edward Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 6 April 1722.

Edward and Elizabeth’s fifth child was William Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 26 March 1724. William died soon after birth and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 7 April 1724.

Edward and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Mary Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 9 May 1725. When she was 23 years old Mary married William Funnell, who was about 27 years old, at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Chalvington, Sussex on 28 March 1749. Mary was then living at Chalvington and William was from nearby Chiddingly. William was the son of Thomas and Sarah Funnell, and he had been born at Chiddingly in about 1721. No baptism has been found as they are thought to have been Baptists, but William is named in his father’s will.[16]

William and Mary initially lived at Chalvington where they had ten children born between 1750 and 1765. William’s father died in 1768 and William together with his brother Thomas and mother Sarah were joint executors of their father’s will, and each inherited a third share of the residue of their father’s estate. It is understood that William inherited the family farm at Chiddingly and William and his family moved there, where their eleventh child was born in 1769.

Only three baptisms have been found for the children of William and Mary, presumably because they were Baptists, so the other children on the following list must be treated as tentative as no firm evidence for them is known.

William and Mary presumably continued to live at Chiddingly until their deaths. William died on 30 November 1787, at the age of 66, and was buried in the graveyard of the Baptist Chapel at Heathfield. Just over two years later Mary died on 10 February 1790, at the age of 64 (not 66 as given on her headstone), and was buried with her husband in the graveyard of the Baptist Chapel at Heathfield.[17]

William and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex in about 1750.

William and Mary’s second child was Elizabeth Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex in about 1751.

William and Mary’s third child was Thomas Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex in about 1752.

William and Mary’s fourth child was Sarah Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Chalvington on 3 February 1754.

William and Mary’s fifth child was William Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Chalvington on 8 February 1756.

William and Mary’s sixth child was Edward Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex on 28 September 1757.

William and Mary’s seventh child was James Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex on 20 Mar 1760.

William and Mary’s eighth child was Lucy Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex in about 1761.

William and Mary’s ninth child was Philadelphia Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex in about 1763.

William and Mary’s tenth child was John Funnell who was born at Chalvington in Sussex on 28 July 1765.

William and Mary’s eleventh child was Henry Funnell who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 20 May 1769, when it was recorded that he was an adult, so had presumably been born much earlier.

Edward and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 1 April 1729.

Edward and Elizabeth’s eighth child was Susan Muddle who was born at Laughton in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Laughton on 28 January 1737. Susan died soon after birth and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Laughton on 25 February 1737.

One of the horse thieves that Richard Muddle senior stood bail for and was possibly his son or other close relative such as a nephew was John Muddle who was probably born at Buxted in Sussex in about 1562. He became a smith at Rotherfield and was the originator of the large family of Buxted Muddles. See the 'Buxted Muddles' for details of John's life and his many descendants.

The second of the horse thieves that Richard Muddle senior stood bail for and was possibly his son or other close relative such as a nephew was Richard Muddle junior who was probably born at Buxted in Sussex in about 1558, and married Elizabeth in possibly early 1582. He was described as a smith of Mayfield Parish when he was arrested and bailed on 3 October 1682. See the section on John Muddle in the Buxted Muddles for full details of Richard’s arrest, bail, trial and pardon.

Richard and Elizabeth lived in the Hadlow Down area of Mayfield Parish where they had four children born between 1583 and 1592. On 13 August 1597 Richard Muddle enfranchised (purchased the freehold) from the Lord of the Manor of Mayfield of the following copyhold properties: four pieces of land of 30 acres in Mayfield; a message, barn, garden, orchard and two crofts of 4¼ acres in Mayfield; Scurles Croft of a ¼ acre; two pieces of land of 7 acres near Hadlow Down; and a piece of land of 2 acres near Hadlow Down.[18]

At East Grinstead Assizes held on 8 March 1605 Richard Muddle, a blacksmith of Mayfield Parish, was charged with erecting a cottage in Mayfield Parish on 25 January 1603 without the statutory 4 acres of land. No verdict was recorded on the surviving indictment document.[19]

Richard died when he was probably about 50 years old, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 26 June 1608. On his burial record he was described as being a smith of Hadlow Down. Richard had made his will on 22 June 1608, when he described himself as a smith of Mayfield Parish, and probate of this will was granted to his son Herbert, the sole executor, by the Deanery of South Malling on 14 July 1608. In this will Richard left his son Abraham 15 acres of freehold land at Hadlow Down and 7½ acres of common land recently purchased from the Lord of the Manor with a dwelling house on it, also at Hadlow Down. To his son William he left his copyhold lands at Framfield of 16 acres with a dwelling house, barn and other buildings. Together with all the tools of his trade including a bellows and an anvil. To his daughter Alice he left 4¾ acres of land at Hesfield Down and £40 that she was to receive at age 21. To his son Herbert he left the house in which he lived at Hadlow Down and associated land and buildings otherwise un-bequeathed. To his wife Elizabeth he left an annuity of £4 5s per year to be paid by his sons Herbert, at 50s per year, and Abraham, at 35s per year. She was also to have the use of the chamber over the kitchen with its furniture and his oats growing at Rotherfield and wheat growing at Buxted. He made one of the two overseers of the will the John Muddle of Rotherfield with whom he had been arrested back in 1582, and one of the witnesses to the will was Alexander Muddle, son of Richard Muddle senior.[20]

No records have been found of what happened to Elizabeth after her husband’s death, though she was still alive when her son Abraham made his will in June 1609. Abraham died shortly after making his will in which Elizabeth was given full use of the house in which Abraham had been living together with a supply of a yard of wood per year. She was also to receive £5 on the feast day of St Michael the Archangel after Abraham’s decease and a further £10 a year later.

Richard and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Herbert Muddle who was born at Hadlow Down in Mayfield Parish, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 27 January 1583. When his father died in 1608 Herbert was the sole executor of his will and inherited the house in which his father lived at Hadlow Down together with the associated land and buildings otherwise un-bequeathed, with his mother to have the use of the chamber above the kitchen.

The following year Herbert’s brother Abraham died and in his will Abraham left all the property that his father had just left him to Herbert with Herbert having to fulfil the following conditions, otherwise the property was to be forfeited to his brother William. The conditions were that their mother was to have the use of the house in which Abraham was then living for her lifetime together with a supply of a yard of wood per year. She was also to receive £5 on the feast day of St Michael the Archangel after Abraham’s decease and a further £10 a year later. Abraham’s brother William was to receive £20 within a year of Abraham’s decease and then another £20 a specified number of years later. The final condition was that Abraham’s sister Alice was to receive £20 when she attained the age of 21 years.

Richard and Elizabeth’s second child was Abraham Muddle who was born at Hadlow Down in Mayfield Parish, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 5 September 1585. When his father died in 1608 Abraham inherited 15 acres of freehold land at Hadlow Down and 7½ acres of common land recently purchased from the Lord of the Manor with a dwelling house on it, also at Hadlow Down.

Abraham never married, he died at the age of 23, just a year after his father, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 7 July 1609. Abraham had made his will on 21 June 1609, when he described himself as an edge-tool maker (a specific type of blacksmith) of Mayfield Parish, and probate was granted to his brother William Muddle, the sole executor, by the Deanery of South Malling on 14 September 1609. In this will Abraham left all the property that he had inherited from his father to his brother Herbert on condition that Herbert fulfilled the following conditions, otherwise the property was to be forfeited to his brother William. The conditions were that their mother was to have the use of the house in which Abraham was then living for her lifetime together with a supply of a yard of wood per year. She was also to receive £5 on the feast day of St Michael the Archangel after Abraham’s decease and a further £10 a year later. Abraham’s brother William was to receive £20 within a year of Abraham’s decease and then another £20 a specified number of years later. The final condition was that Abraham’s sister Alice was to receive £20 when she attained the age of 21 years. Abraham made one of the overseers of his will the Alexander Muddle who was the son of Richard Muddle senior, and this Alexander was also a witness of the will.[21]

Richard and Elizabeth’s third child was William Muddle who was born at Hadlow Down in Mayfield Parish, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 10 December 1587. When his father died in 1608 William inherited his father’s copyhold lands at Framfield of 16 acres with a dwelling house, barn and other buildings. Together with all his father’s tools of his trade including a bellows and an anvil. Then the following year when his brother Abraham died William inherited £20 that he was to receive within a year of Abraham’s decease and then another £20 a specified number of years later.

When he was 30 years old William married Elizabeth Salter at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 20 January 1618. They initially lived at Waldron in Sussex where their first child was born in late 1618, they then moved to Framfield in Sussex where their next seven children were born between 1620 and 1633. Then they moved to East Hoathly where their last two children were born in 1635 and 1637, making a total of ten children. When his brother-in-law Richard Brightridge died in 1636 William was one of the overseers of his will.

William died at Framfield, at the age of 52, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Thomas à Becket at Framfield on 1 June 1640. William’s will was undated but probate was granted to his wife Elizabeth, one of the executors, by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 31 May 1641, the other executor, son Nicholas, renouncing his right to act. In this will William gave his sons Richard and Thomas £10 each. To his eldest daughter Elizabeth he gave £10 and a wooden bedstead. To his daughters Mary, Alice, Philadelphia, Susan, Joan and Anne he gave £10. Eight years later Elizabeth died at Framfield and was buried in the Churchyard of St Thomas à Becket at Framfield on 1 April 1648.

William and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Nicholas Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 24 November 1618. When his father died in 1640 Nicholas was joint executor with his mother but renounced his right to act.

William and Elizabeth’s second child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 17 September 1620. When her father died in 1640 Elizabeth inherited £10 and a wooden bedstead that she was to receive at the age of 21.

William and Elizabeth’s third child was Mary Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 12 May 1622. When her father died in 1640 Mary inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21. Then when she was 22 years old Mary married Richard Page at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 12 November 1644.

William and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Alice Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 26 September 1624. When her father died in 1640 Alice inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21. Then when she was 28 years old Alice was living at South Malling in Sussex when she married John Sumner at the Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel in South Malling on 7 November 1652.

William and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Richard Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 27 May 1627. When his father died in 1640 Richard inherited £10 that he was to receive at the age of 21.

William and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Philadelphia Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex in about 1629. When her father died in 1640 Philadelphia inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21. Then when she was about 27 years old Philadelphia married Robert Worgar at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Glynde, Sussex on 7 October 1656. They were both then living at Glynde but after their marriage they lived at Chiddingly in Sussex where they had two children born in 1657 and 1659. The birth of their second child probably caused Philadelphia’s death when she was about 30 years old, because she was buried in the Churchyard of Chiddingly Parish Church on 6 November 1659 at the same time that this child was baptised.

Robert and Philadelphia’s eldest child was John Worgar who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 6 September 1657.

Robert and Philadelphia’s second child was Thomas Worgar who was born at Chiddingly in Sussex and baptised at Chiddingly Parish Church on 6 November 1659, at the same time as his mother was buried.

William and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 8 May 1631. When his father died in 1640 Thomas inherited £10 that he was to receive at the age of 21.

William and Elizabeth’s eighth child was Susan Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 17 July 1633. When her father died in 1640 Susan inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21.

William and Elizabeth’s ninth child was Joan Muddle who was born at East Hoathly in Sussex and baptised at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 3 May 1635. When her father died in 1640 Joan inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21.

William and Elizabeth’s tenth child was Anne Muddle who was born at East Hoathly in Sussex and baptised at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 9 July 1637. When her father died in 1640 Anne inherited £10 that she was to receive at the age of 21. Then when she was 46 years old Anne married 35-year-old John Millum at East Hoathly Parish Church in Sussex on 19 June 1683. John was the son of Jeffrey Millum; his baptism was recorded by the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 11 July 1647 when it was stated that the baptism had taken place at Buxted. There are not thought to have been any children from this marriage, and 14 years after their marriage Anne died at Framfield, at the age of 60, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Thomas à Becket at Framfield on 7 July 1697.

Richard and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Alice Muddle who was born at Hadlow Down in Mayfield Parish, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan at Mayfield on 29 October 1592. When her father died in 1608 Alice inherited 4¾ acres of land at Hesfield Down and £40 that she was to receive at age 21. Then when her brother Abraham died in 1609 Alice inherited £20 that she was to receive when she attained the age of 21 years.

When she was 19 years old Alice married Richard Brightridge at the Parish Church of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 15 June 1612. It’s thought that Alice must have died during the next three years though no burial has been found. Because Richard then married Margery Salter at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron, Sussex on 18 April 1615. It’s thought that the eight children Richard named in his will were probably all from this marriage. Then Richard died and was buried in the Churchyard of St Thomas à Becket in Framfield on 16 March 1636. Richard had made his will on 10 October 1633 and probate of this will was granted to his wife Margery, the sole executrix, by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 9 May 1636. In this will Richard left his eldest son Nicholas £50; his other three sons, Richard, Thomas and John, £30 each; and his four daughters, Ann, Mary, Elizabeth and Jane, £20 each. The remainder of his estate he left to his wife, and he made his two brothers-in-law, Abraham Salter and William Muddle, the overseers of his will.[22]